I never truly appreciated as a boy the gift of living in the country. more

Texting is commonplace in today’s world. I get more texts than phone calls. At least today, the texts are part of my phone plan. When this phenomenon started, my teens paid a quarter for every text. more

I took a little trip the other day. One I have taken many times in my life. The difference now, is that I can only take it in my mind of memories. I’m talking about a visit to my past and my grandparents’ farm. more

In 1988, “Lamb Chop’s Sing-Along, Play-Along” unveiled a four-line chorus, and just by those few words alone, you might already be experiencing hives, a rash or eye twitching from the memories spilling back into your head. “The Song That Never Ends” was something kids sang on repeat, because, as the title says, it’s the song that never ends.  more

When I was growing up near Elkland in the Eisenhower and Kennedy years, most fair weather days would find old men in overalls sitting on a bench in front of the Elkland MFA Exchange, some for a few minutes, some for much of the morning. more

“My man hasn’t asked me to be his Valentine. He just assumes I will be, because we live together — How rude,” was posted on Facebook. more

Dear Editor, more

Attention readers: I am an official graduate of Cardiac Rehabilitation. I have a certificate and everything! I can prove it. more

Dear Editor, more

Dear Editor, more

Well, I guess you wonder what happened to the crowd of C.B.er’s. They say the Buzzard finally talked Morning Glory in to marrying him. Rag Doll was her maid of honor and I told you Rag Doll said she was keeping her eye on the 49er. Next thing you know, Rag Doll and the 49er were getting married and they all made babies. Buzzard and Morning Glory were 49er and Rag Dolls best man and maiden of honor. Oh, did I mention that the old Bee had big fat 50’s on the back, Mickey Thompson’s that is with Crager Wheels. The young Buzzard thought it was cool. All these guys and gals hung out with him because he was like a dork fish. Somewhere between throwing cow pies and bottle rocket fights. more

In 2010, we bought a Prius. Although it was a really good car, with excellent gas milage, it was low to the ground. We didn’t dare drive it through a deep snow, because, we figured, it would bottom-out. Then in 2020, we traded for another Prius. It is a little higher off the ground, thus it would be better in the snow. It is also an all-wheel drive. more

There are some columns I don’t want to write because it hurts. This is one of them. more

Cinemablend.com reported, “An image of (Jamie Lee) Curtis’ reaction to her ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ co-star’s win went viral as the epitome of women supporting women … Jamie Lee Curtis became an instant meme for her unbridled elation over Michelle Yeoh’s Best Actress win at the Golden Globe Awards on January 10.” more

DEFINITION more

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day. more

The 2023 Missouri legislative session is under way, and legislators have been back in Jefferson City since Jan. 4. Every year brings a new opportunity to address items that matter to our members and hardworking Missourians, and we look forward to developing solutions in the coming months.   more

Just a few more days and that winter desert otherwise known as January will have been crossed and my sights can be set on spring. more

Special marijuana tax votes are scheduled in both Lebanon and Laclede County. I haven't seen anything in the Reflex regarding possible marijuana taxes in Buffalo or Dallas County. Why not? If they are not under active consideration, they should be. It could be an additional source of funding for law enforcement who will be dealing with recreational marijuana users as the new laws take effect. more

By Elizabeth Schull more

With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, clean energy projects have the opportunity to become the most reliable cash crops for Missouri’s vast agricultural landscape. In this federal legislation, $40 billion is earmarked to help rural communities in addition to debt relief to help rural electric cooperatives transition from coal to wind and solar. However, it is not the only money available for these energy projects. Wind and solar can provide millions of dollars annually to landowners and millions more to country coffers in tax revenue. more

To Buffalo and Dallas County, more

At a recent meal at the Fair Grove Senior Center, my tablemates talked about my column. One fellow, who lives in Buffalo, said he always reads Jim Hamilton’s and my columns, in the Reflex. I told him thanks, and I hoped he enjoyed them. more

After we had children, I worked part time at a print shop or baby-sat other children for a few years while caring for our toddlers. Then, when they were ready to enter preschool, I landed a job as a full-time graphic artist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital at the in-house printing plant. more

“When we build, let us think that we build forever.” more